Method and means for mounting fish and various specimens hollow



Jan. 31, 1933. P LUE E METHOD AND MEANS FOR MOUNTING FISH AND VARIOUSSPECIMENS HOLLOW Filed Dec. 50, 1951 Invenlbr dZ/Z I lager Patented Jan.31 1933 UNITED STA ES PATENT OFFICE 4 METHOD AND MEANS ron MOUNTING FISHAND vnnrous srncIMENs Borrow 7 Application filed December 30,11 931.jetsam. 583,965. i

This invention relates to a method of mounting fish and other specimens,the general object of the. invention being to provide a stiffeningmedium on the inner face of the skinso that this medium will hold theskin in position after the specimen has been shaped in a mold and over afiller while the stiffening material is drying and hardening. Thus afterthe filler is removed the specimen will 10 be hollow and will besupported in its natural state by the hardened stiffening mediumplacedon the inner surface. v The invention, together with its many objectsand advantages will be bestunderstood from a study of the followingdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing:

Figure '1 is a transverse sectional View showing the parts initiallyassembled before theapplication of a filling, and in accordance with thepresent invention.

Figure 2 is a similar View showing the position of the parts subsequentto the application of the filling.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the specimen removed fromthe mold and the filling drained from the mounted speci men.

Figure 4 is a top plan View of a portion of a, stiffening medium;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantiallyon the line 5'5 of Figure 4. 1

In carrying out my invention I provide a mold 1 of suitable shape, inthe present instance the mold being especially designed for use in themounting of a fish specimen. As shown the skin of the specimen 2'has aportion thereof placed lengthwise in the mold, 40 and then, to the innerside of the skin of the specimen is applied means for substantiallystiffening the skin. In the present instance to stiffen the skin 2 Iprovide one or more sheets 3 of cloth, in the present instance a wireapply a coating 4 of plaster,papier mach, celluloid or any othersubstance which hardens when it becomesdry. The substance 4 may 6 beapplied to the cloth 3 to the thickness desired.

inner side ofthe.

cloth is shown. To one side of the cloth 3 I The strips 3 are preferablynarrow, andgthe: strips to a] sufficient number are arrangedtransversely-ofthe skin '2 of the specimen with the plastic substance 4presented to the skin to adherethf'ereto as suggested' inFigure L" ISubsequent to the application of thefstrip s or sheets 3 to the innerside of the-skina fil-le r 5 of sawdust; sand, earthor other materialwli-ichjmay be'readil y removed from the specimen when the latter ismounted and dry, is placed on the part of the specimen fitted within themold 1 as suggested in Figure 2 after which the remaining sideof theskin is then folded over the filler 5 as suggested? in Figure 2. Afterthis is done the meeting edges of the specimen are suitably secured toether if necessary or desired.

ith this step in the process or method com? pleted, the specimen is thenremoved from the mold 1 and placed on a drying board. Sub sequent to athorough drying of the mounted specimen the filler 5 may be removed in amanner well known to those skilled in the art, such as by leaving anopening in the specimen through which the filler can be removed.

. By reason of thestiffening means consisting of the sheet 3 andadhesive substance 4, it is apparent that the skin of the specimen willmaintain its rigidity afterthe filler 5 has 9 been' removedand thespecimen subsequent to the removal of the filler is now readyforfinishing, .a process also well known to those skilled in the art andnot of the essence of the present invention. 7 i

It will be apparent that the strip 3 having the adhesive material 4applied to one side. thereof forms the cast for the skin 2 of thespecimen as required in order to give the mounted specimen the necessarylife like ap- 9 pea-rance. V

While I have herein shown and described the path for the specimen asconsisting of one or more sheets 3 having a substance 4 applied thereto,it is to be understood that I 5 e by the use of the substance 4 appliedtothe I inner side of theskin; It is also to be under-. stood that Iclaim all forms of the invention 9.

' and the scope of the appended claims may 1 specimen in a mold, thentreatingathe inner surface of the skin with plastic material I to whichI am entitled, intending in no wise to restrict the invention except asthe prior art require. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. A method for mounting specimens hollow, consisting of applying aplastic substance to the inner side of the skin of the specimen, andsubsequently stretching the skin 7 over a filler, and finally removingthe-filler subsequent to the drying of the plastic ,material. 1

2. A method for mounting specimens comprising placing a portion oftheskin of the V which,iwhen dry, will hold the skin in shape;

then placing a filler on that portion of'the skin: in the mold andfolding the remaining a part of the skinover the filler and finally re--.moving, the filler ,after the plasticmar-terial has dried.:,- Intestimony ALBERT PFLUEGER.

whereof afliii my signature. 7

